s filled more than fifty years of futile effort
to colonize New France. Cold and scurvy as effectually closed the
North to Frenchmen as Spanish savagery the South.

Then, in this disheartening state of affairs, appeared the man who well
deserves the title of the "Father of New France," since his courage and
indomitable will steered the tiny "ship of state" through a sea of
discouragements.

Samuel de Champlain was born in 1567 at the small French seaport of
Brouage, on the Bay of Biscay. In his pious devotion and his
unquestioning loyalty to the Church, he was of the "Age of Faith," and
he recalls Columbus. In his eager thirst for knowledge and his daring
spirit of exploration, he was a modern man, while his practical ability
in handling men and affairs reminds us of the doughty Captain John
Smith, of Virginia. He came to manhood in time to take part in the
great religious wars in France. After the conflict was ended, when his
master, Henry the Great, was seated on the throne, Champlain's
adventurous spirit led him to the West Indies. Since these were closed
to Frenchmen by the jealousy {105} of the Spaniards, there was a degree
of peril in the undertaking which for him was its chief charm. After
two years he returned, bringing a journal in which he had set down the
most notable things seen in Spanish America. It was illustrated with a
number of the quaintest pictures, drawn and colored by himself. He
also visited Mexico and Central America. His natural sagacity is shown
in his suggesting, even at that early day, that a ship-canal across the
Isthmus of Panama would effect a vast saving.

[Illustration: Samuel de Champlain]

In 1603, in two quaint little vessels, not larger than the fishing
craft of to-day, Champlain and Pontgrave, who was interested in the
fur-trade, crossed the Atlantic and sailed up the St. Lawrence. When
they came to Hochelaga, on the site of Montreal, they found there only
a few shiftless and roving Algonquins.[4]

The explorers passed on and boldly essayed, but in vain, to ascend the
rapids of St. Louis. When they sailed for France, however, a great
purpose was formed in Champlain's mind. What {106} he had gathered
from the Indians as to the great waters above, the vast chain of rivers
and lakes, determined the scene of his future activity.

His next venture in the New World was made in association with the
Sieur de Monts, a Huguenot gentleman, who had obtained leave to plant a